LITEHOUSE TO EXPAND MANUFACTURING IN SOUTHERN UTAH

The Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) today announced that Litehouse Inc. will expand its manufacturing operations in Hurricane, adding up to 165 jobs to the community and $40 million in capital investment.

“Litehouse will add quality jobs to the Hurricane community and the state’s manufacturing economy,” said Val Hale, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. “Their expansion will benefit our business environment.”

Headquartered in Sandpoint, Idaho, Litehouse has been in the family business of creating delicious food for over 50 years. Today, the company produces and markets refrigerated food products such as salad dressing, cheese, sauces, and dips, with an ever-expanding product portfolio and national distribution. As of 2014, the company has been 100 percent employee-owned. The Utah facility expansion will continue to support dressing, dip and sauce production and their growing distribution needs throughout the United States.

“Our goal is to continue to add jobs to the communities that have helped us grow into a dominant leader in our industry” said Jim Frank, Litehouse CEO. “We are so pleased to announce our expansion in Hurricane and we look forward to being a strong partner to the community that has been so supportive of Litehouse.”

The Litehouse project will create up to 165 jobs over the next eight years. The total wages in aggregate are required to exceed 110 percent of the Washington County average wage. The projected new state wages over the life of the agreement are expected to be approximately $44,922,713. Projected new state tax revenues, as a result of corporate, payroll and sales taxes, are estimated to be $1,733,815 over eight years.

“Keeping the customers you have is the best recipe for success,” said Theresa Foxley, president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah. “Congratulations to Litehouse Foods on their decision to expand in Hurricane.”

Litehouse Foods may earn up to 20 percent of the new state taxes they will pay over the eight-year life of the agreement in the form of a post-performance Economic Development Tax Increment Finance (EDTIF) tax credit rebate. As part of the contract with Litehouse, the GOED Board of Directors has approved a post-performance tax credit rebate not to exceed $346,763. Each year as Litehouse Foods meets the criteria in its contract with the state, it will earn a portion of the total tax credit rebate.

“We’re happy that Litehouse is finding success and will be expanding their presence in Washington County,” said Jeriah Threlfall, executive director of St. George Area Economic Development. “We are not surprised they are succeeding. Litehouse is a great company and Hurricane City is an excellent place to do business.”

###

About the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) business.utah.gov
The Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) charter is based on Gov. Gary R. Herbert’s commitment to statewide economic development. The state’s economic vision is that Utah will lead the nation as the best performing economy and be recognized as a premier global business environment and tourist destination. GOED provides extensive resources and support for business creation, growth and recruitment statewide, as well as programs to increase tourism and film production for the benefit of Utah residents. All administered programs are based upon strategic industry clusters to develop a diverse, sustainable economy. GOED accomplishes its mission through unprecedented partnerships. For more information please contact: Aimee Edwards, (801) 538-8811 or edwards@utah.gov

About Litehouse, Inc.
Litehouse, Inc. started in the Hope, Idaho restaurant of the Hawkins family over 50 years ago. Since that time, it has become the leader in refrigerated salad dressings, fruit and veggie dips, sauces, Instantly Fresh® Herbs, blue cheese, and cold pressed apple cider, manufacturing these delicious products at its three U.S. facilities based in Michigan, Utah and Idaho. Litehouse is proud to be 100% employee-owned and each one of the employee owners is proud to carry on the high standards of quality and innovation, living up to the slogan…Families Making Food for Families. For more information, visit www.LitehouseFoods.com, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter or contact Morgan Mittie, (208) 920-2070, mmittie@litehouseinc.com.